As previously mentioned, HOK and the United Soccer League (USL) launched a stadium development initiative to have all USL clubs in soccer-specific stadiums by 2020. At last week’s USL Winter Summit, HOK announced they are creating a prototype 10,000-seat USL Stadium, which would be scalable for all clubs that wish to utilize it.

With 28 teams currently, USL is the largest soccer league in North America and has only continued to grow with a majority of the clubs averaging 4,000 to 6,000 fans per game during the 2015 season when overall league attendance reached one million for the first time. In addition to a partnership with Major League Soccer (MLS) where USL clubs serve as their minor league affiliates, the USL has grown from 20 clubs in 2014 to a committed 30 clubs for the 2016 season.

New USL stadiums should be expected in the near future in at least Louisville, Kentucky; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Reno, Nevada; where those respective clubs currently play in minor league baseball stadiums. Joining in 2016 as an expansion team, Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg, Texas, is constructing its 10,000-seat stadium that is modeled after the Houston Dynamo’s BBVA Stadium, its MLS affiliate.

Between MLS and USL, new soccer specific stadiums could be constructed in Orlando, Florida; Minnesota; Miami, Florida; Los Angeles, California; Sacramento, California; Louisville; Rio Grande Valley; Tulsa; and Reno; just within the next four years. I believe other markets such as Austin, Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Cincinnati, Ohio; could be joining that list in the near future as well. That is quite a few new venues with new job opportunities for IAVM members.

“It’s not a tenant in a building. They are in control of that venue, can brand and dress that venue and can control the revenue streams with that venue, and operate that venue for other events outside the game. That’s huge. That’s critical. That’s when we start to reach a tipping point here.” said Chris DeVolder of HOK “ Looking ahead five years, I think the sky’s the limit.”

(Image: RGVFC.com)

You, as an IAVM member, are our most important asset. Without your commitment to the association and to the venue management industry, we wouldn’t be here. Because of your support, we are featuring member profiles in our I Am Venue Management series. If you are interested in participating in the I Am Venue Management series, please visit http://www.iavm.org/i-am-venue-management-share-your-story.

If I wasn’t doing this I’d be a: journalist or chef.

Most impressive person I’ve ever met: is my father. He inspired me to follow my heart and hang in there even when times get tough.

I unwind by: cooking and visiting friends and family on the East Coast.

On my desk right now is: lots of paperwork and my favorite Ringling Bros. mousepad, courtesy of some Feld friends.

My favorite IAVM program I ever attended was: VMS at Oglebay 2011 – 2012. I made friends for life.

If I were on the other side of the seats, I’d be a: tour security manager.

One trait an up-and-coming venue manager should have is: flexibility.

One up-and-coming venue star in the arena industry is: my friend Lauren Simpson. She is a huge inspiration and has taken on so many responsibilities at her venue (Grand Ole Opry) and multiple leadership roles with IAVM. She’s a rock star!

One of my goals for this year is to: continue to grow and develop my staff through new and innovative training programs and processes.

How do you plan to help elevate the profession? So many people gave back to me when I was a student and trying to get into the industry—I’d love to give back to others who are there now.

Where do you see new growth opportunities in the profession? In understanding new and changing technology as it relates to our business. Everything from ticketing to social to wayfaring and security systems.

How do you stay current with industry trends and developments? I read a lot of the trade publications and stay in touch with industry friends at different buildings. I’ve also gotten into Twitter lately as a great source of up-to-the-minute information on a myriad of things relating to our industry.

Who are three people you’d invite to a dinner party and why? Steve Spurrier, Drew Brees, and Taylor Swift. The first two because they are both great leaders with very different and compelling styles. Taylor because she’s been someone I’ve admired since working several of her shows. She has amazing energy and an upbeat attitude and cares about her fans as much as any artist I’ve encountered. She seems like a wonderful role model.

Laura Doyle is guest relations and event security manager at Chesapeake Energy Arena/Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

The IAVM Leadership Development/Nominating Committee is seeking candidates who are well-versed in all areas of venue management, invested in their own professional growth and the growth of others, are dedicated to the advancement of the venue industry as a whole, and have the demonstrated ability to lead the association.

The nomination process has changed and is now member initiated. Interested members should review the criteria for selection on the IAVM website to determine individual eligibility as a candidate for senior office, and to ultimately submit an application form should they wish to be considered as a candidate.

The deadline for submitting applications to IAVM HQ is January 31, 2016. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact me.

JustOne: This leadership recruitment campaign was launched at VenueConnect in Baltimore this year. The goal is to have every IAVM volunteer recruit one new member. The IAVM Membership Committee feels we can achieve our goal of 100 percent volunteer participation by March 31, 2016. Of our 231 volunteers, 14 committee members have recruited 57 new members that equal 8 percent participation. The Membership Committee is leading with 17 new members.

Committee members leading the JustOne campaign effort through today are:

If your name isn’t listed above, please encourage someone to join. We are confident we can reach 100 percent participation by our leadership. The member and committee who brings in the most members will be recognized at VenueConnect in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We will continue to send updates each month.

We are thrilled with our progress thus far. We sincerely appreciate your efforts in helping your association grow and add more diverse and talented individuals to our membership. If you have any questions or perhaps your referral did not list your name, please let me know. Thank you!

These are selected news articles that showed up in our inboxes on Monday morning that we want to pass along to you.

Star Wars Premiere: Fans, Security to Bring the Force (Variety)
“Security and crowd control will also be at Academy Award levels, with 50 uniformed officers patrolling the four-block stretch and the surrounding area, according to an LAPD official. By comparison, the premiere of “The Hateful Eight” a week prior at the Hollywood’s Arclight Cinerama Dome drew just four uniformed L.A. officers.”

Philadelphia City Council Approves Zoning for $450M Casino Complex Near Stadiums (6abc.com)
“According to the plan, the existing Holiday Inn on the 900 block of Packer Avenue will be renovated into a luxury hotel with more than 200 rooms, a spa and conference center. The yet-to-be built casino will have 2000 slot machines, more than 100 table games and live entertainment venues.”

Virginia Beach City Council Approves Arena Deal: What’s Next? (13newsnow.com)
“United States Management offered to pay for the project up front, and the city would funnel tax revenues from the arena to pay off the USM’s debt.”

Anaheim Convention Center Serves Sustainable Fare from New Garden (Successful Meetings)
“Designed by the convention center’s food and beverage partner, Aramark, the garden is irrigated with residual water and valuable nutrients that are redirected from the convention center’s EcoVim composting machines.”

ISU Arts Center Ranks High on National List (Idaho State Journal)
“The L.E. and Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center at Idaho State University ranks fourth on tripping.com’s list of ‘The Best College Performing Arts Centers: Top 10 to Experience in the U.S.'”